The Inflow of Unease
The next day.
At dawn, a message arrived from the Black King Faction. They promised to deliver the materials within two days, and I finally felt a weight lift from my shoulders. With a proper information network in place, it might have been possible in a single day.
Two days later, I finally met them.
“Good to see you, young master of the Ju family.”
A man greeted me with a bright smile. Tall and solidly built, with handsome features—he was one of Mount Hua’s famed Plum Blossom Sword Guards. More specifically…
The senior disciple.
Byeok Ryu Dojang, the head senior among Mount Hua’s first-generation disciples and the one most likely to become the next sect leader. He was the highest-ranked among the great disciples.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I am Ju Woo-jin of the Ju family.”
“Hahaha, what’s that rascal Geomryong up to these days? He hasn’t even bothered to visit once. How disappointing.”
They seemed quite close, likely because they were similar in age. The purple robe embroidered with the plum blossom crest—the symbol of the Plum Blossom Sword Guards—radiated an imposing presence. The moment he appeared, Mount Hua erupted into chaos.
“Whoa! Senior Brother!”
“Kyaa! Byeok Ryu Senior Brother! You’re so cool!”
The disciples’ cheers were directed solely at Byeok Ryu. He waved at them with a familiar smile, sparking another round of excitement, before turning his gaze back to me.
“Have you seen all of Mount Hua?”
“Hmm, not everything. I’ve taken a rough look around.”
Byeok Ryu’s expression twisted at my answer.
“A rough look? That won’t do. Mount Hua is breathtaking. Since you’ve come all this way, you should take it all in properly—let it fill your eyes and your heart.”
“……”
What was the big deal? I could take it in with my eyes, but filling my heart with it seemed more suited to his own disciples.
“Follow me. I’ll show you exactly what Mount Hua is like. Krhaha!”
His enthusiastic offer caught me off guard for a moment. His words about properly appreciating Mount Hua’s scenery were clearly born of genuine goodwill, but they also presented an opportunity to examine the sect’s inner workings in detail.
“Then you’ll personally guide me, Senior Brother?”
“Senior Brother?”
I asked cautiously. Byeok Ryu’s eyes sparkled.
“Haha! Perfect! Today, in honor of my adorable little brother’s visit, I’ll show you the true face of Mount Hua!”
His booming voice drew envious glances from the surrounding disciples. Byeok Ryu waved them off.
“I’ll be taking a special guest on a mountain tour today. Focus on your training as usual.”
“Yes, Senior Brother!”
The disciples answered with reluctant voices. Under Byeok Ryu’s guidance, we began touring Mount Hua’s hidden scenic spots one by one.
The first place we visited was the Manmae Garden, located behind the Heavenly Sword Platform. A vast garden filled with plum trees, their pink blossoms in full bloom as if defying the seasons.
“This is Mount Hua’s pride. You can see plum blossoms blooming all year round.”
Byeok Ryu explained proudly, his face filled with pure passion.
“It’s truly beautiful.”
When I expressed my admiration, Byeok Ryu smiled contentedly.
“These plum trees aren’t just beautiful. They’re deeply connected to Mount Hua’s internal energy cultivation methods.”
Just as he was about to continue, a strange wind suddenly stirred among the plum trees. Petals scattered and swirled around us, and within them, I sensed an unfamiliar energy.
Huh?
I quickly gathered my inner energy, bracing for what might come next, but the presence vanished without a trace. At that moment, Byeok Ryu’s expression hardened briefly before relaxing again.
“Just now……”
“Haha, it’s nothing. It’s been a while since I’ve been here myself……”
With that, Byeok Ryu quickly led me out of the Manmae Garden. Even as we left, his gaze kept drifting back toward the garden.
Something was definitely going on……
I can’t ask. It’s Mount Hua’s affair.
Clearly, a wary light had appeared in Byeok Ryu’s eyes. There was something here.
Our next destination was a waterfall.
“This is the Blue River Waterfall. It’s said that countless Taoists cultivated here and ascended to immortality upon achieving enlightenment. Now it’s open to the public like this.”
Byeok Ryu had already returned to his usual self. His explanation barely registered with me—I was too curious, but I held back and simply nodded along.
“Hoo.”
Eventually, Byeok Ryu shook his head.
“Sorry, but something urgent has come up. I need to go.”
“Ah, yes. That’s fine.”
“Look around on your own. You remember the way back?”
“Yes, no problem.”
With a nod, Byeok Ryu executed his movement technique and vanished from sight. He truly was a man like the wind.
“What was that?”
I turned back toward the Manmae Garden. The suspicious energy I had felt there—it was definitely no ordinary presence.
The Manmae Garden was where plum trees bloomed year-round. Its unusual climate was deeply tied to Mount Hua’s internal energy methods. Recalling Byeok Ryu’s words, I slowly surveyed the garden. The rich plum blossom fragrance still filled the air, but the strange energy from earlier had long since disappeared without a trace.
After wandering for some time, I stopped in my tracks upon noticing something.
Footprints.
Faint footprints remained in one corner of the garden. Since this place was Mount Hua’s pride and open to visitors, that alone wouldn’t have been strange.
They’re wilting?
But when I noticed that the plum trees near the footprints were gradually withering, I could no longer dismiss it.
This is it?
Was this why Byeok Ryu had moved so urgently? Moreover……
I placed my hand on one of the plum trees. The lingering energy was the same as what I had sensed earlier.
And that energy was……
Demonic Qi.
I had found it. Traces of the Mahwang Squad.
* * *
The Mahwang Squad bore a certain mark. I knew them all too well, and they didn’t know me. To identify one another, they hid marks on hidden parts of their bodies. Not in places like the groin, of course—that would be too inconvenient when they needed to confirm allies.
“Tsk.”
I knew exactly where their marks were placed. Between the fingers. The spot that remained hidden even when cupping fists or clenching them—that was where the Mahwang Squad inscribed their marks.
If demonic Qi had been detected in the Manmae Garden, it meant members of the Mahwang Squad who had infiltrated were active. I needed to catch them.
“But they shouldn’t be moving yet.”
They only began operating after Mount Hua was properly ravaged by the plague—when the sect sealed its gates and all communication with the Central Plains was cut off. In other words, this wasn’t the Mahwang Squad moving in earnest. It meant they were exchanging messages among themselves.
Then what about Byeok Ryu?
I suspected him first. The moment he sensed the demonic Qi, he reacted immediately and hurried me away from the garden. On top of that, he had deliberately taken me to a distant waterfall before disappearing.
Could a Plum Blossom Sword Guard really be a traitor?
I didn’t want to believe it, but I had to consider the possibility. Even the Ju family had elders who might be traitors.
“Wait.”
A smile crept across my lips. Father had warned me to act cautiously to avoid straining relations between the sect and the family. But if I did that, I’d never catch the Mahwang Squad. If they hid even deeper, I’d have no way to find them with my limited access to Mount Hua’s inner workings.
However, Father had also added something else.
If problems arise, fire a signal flare.
Were Ju family warriors stationed nearby? Ordering me to fire a signal flare meant he intended to back me up. And that carried another implication.
“Create a problem. One big enough to force a signal flare.”
Father was the Sword Venerable, one of the Ten Venerables of the Martial World. He was also the head of a family that supported thousands of warriors and even more retainers. Political acumen, administrative skill—he needed all of it to become family head. Would a man like him speak such words lightly?
“To catch the Mahwang Squad, I need to move openly.”
So they could make mistakes. So they would decide to eliminate me. So they would be forced to…… move.
“Thank you, Father.”
With a meaningful smile, I headed straight for the main compound.
* * *
The place I visited was the Purple Mist Palace, where the sect leader resided. Rather than beating around the bush, I would confront him head-on and settle things decisively.
“You were looking for me?”
Musang Jin-in approached with a smile.
“Yes, Sect Leader. I have something to say.”
“What is it?”
Musang Jin-in looked down at me with a benevolent smile. Though I felt tense, I had to speak.
“Could you seal Mount Hua’s gates?”
“……”
Musang Jin-in looked as if he doubted his own ears. He tilted his head and perked them up again.
“What? Have I misheard my age? What did you say?”
“I said I wish for Mount Hua to seal its gates.”
The moment the words left my mouth, a heavy aura erupted from Musang Jin-in’s entire body. His benevolent smile vanished without a trace as he glared at me fiercely.
“What do you mean by that?”
“If you’re as wise as they say, Sect Leader, I believe you understand.”
“Understand what?”
“I’m asking you to perform a false sealing, not a real one.”
“And why would I do that?”
Musang Jin-in’s anger grew. Before he could properly erupt, I finished what I had to say.
“There appears to be an enemy within Mount Hua.”
“An enemy? An enemy, you say? What enemy? What nonsense is this, you brat!”
As expected, he didn’t believe me.
“An enemy that must be captured and killed. I’ve been doing this for a long time, and in fact, that’s why I sought to visit Mount Hua.”
“You insolent—! I invited you here! I’ve overlooked your previous remarks out of respect for the deep friendship between the Ju family and Mount Hua, but if you mention sealing the gates one more time……”
“Ah.”
Words wouldn’t work. Continuing would only make things worse. In the end, I had to be the one to back down.
“Pack your things and leave Mount Hua immediately! I will certainly demand compensation from the Ju family for this rudeness later!”
“……Yes. Then.”
I had no choice but to bow my head and leave. But in that moment……
Why did he react so strongly?
Ordering me to leave without explanation? Someone of Musang Jin-in’s position and authority should at least ask for a reason, shouldn’t he? Why had he thought that way? Why had he reacted so strongly to the word “sealing”? If I were the sect leader, no matter how young the other party was……
I would have asked. I turned around. Facing the sect leader, I cupped my fists.
“Please forgive my rudeness, Sect Leader.”
“……Just go.”
Musang Jin-in waved his hand dismissively. Just as I had suspected—but fortunately, there was no Mahwang Squad mark between his fingers. I had no choice but to offer my respects and leave.
In the end, after only two days at Mount Hua, we were about to be expelled.